07 February 2008
The independent Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) has published its 2008 recommendations.
The recommendations include a 2.2% consolidated increase to the minimum and maximum of the operational support grade and the prison officer pay scale, the maxima of other operational support staff and the maxima of most operational managerial pay scales.
The government has accepted the recommendations in full.
The PSPRB also recommended a restructuring of the operational support grades pay scale and a 2.7% increase to the minimum of the principal officer pay scale, the senior officer single salary point and the maximum of the highest paid operational managers.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State of State for Justice, Jack Straw, said:
'I am pleased that we have been able to accept the PSPRB's recommendations in full, resulting in an extra £36 million going into pay for operational staff next year. I, as with all colleagues across government, value greatly the work of prison staff, which I know is difficult, demanding and sometimes dangerous. This award arising from the PSPRB's recommendations is consistent with the government's inflation target which helps contribute to low and stable inflation, macroeconomic stability and economic growth.
'Again this year, the level of the settlement demonstrates our commitment to the independent pay review body process which combines financial discipline with fairness in pay. This process delivers a sustainable, affordable pay award whilst providing reasonable increases to staff.
'I look forward to management and all staff groups within the Prison Service continuing discussions on an essential programme of pay and grading reform linked to the workforce modernisation programme.'
Director General of the Prison Service Phil Wheatley said:
'I welcome the PSPRB's recommendations for pay this year and the government's decision to accept the recommendations in full. The Service and its staff continue to perform well in difficult circumstances, factors which I believe the pay review body took very seriously in reaching their recommendations. The pay review body has again recognised the importance of modernising our pay and workforce structures. We have secured new funding from the Treasury to invest in our pay in April 2009 providing it is linked to a broad modernisation package and I hope, as the PSPRB has recommended, that we can now engage positively with all unions on agreeing this.'
The key pay review body recommendations are:
Support grades
- a 2.2% consolidated increase to the minimum and maximum of the operational support grade, and the maximum of other operational staff pay scales
-
a restructuring of the operational support grades pay scale
Prison officers
- a 2.2% consolidated increase to the minimum and maximum of the prison officer pay scale
- continuation of incremental increases for prison officers for those staff within the pay scale
Senior officers
- a 2.7% consolidated increase to the senior officer single salary point
Principal officers
- a 2.2% consolidated increase to the maximum and a 2.7% increase to the minimum of the Principal Officer scale;
Operational managers
- a 2.7% consolidated increase to the highest paid operational managers and a 2.2% consolidated increase to the maximum of other operational managerial pay scales
- decoupling of the operational manager pay spine into seven separate pay ranges
- continuation of performance-related increases for operational managers within the pay range
The recommendations will be implemented from 1 April 2008. The cost of the award will be met from within the delegated budget allocation for the Prison Service.
The Prisons Minister, David Hanson, has thanked the PSPRB and its Chair, Jerry Cope, for their efforts in providing the 2008 pay review.
Notes to editors
1. This is the seventh report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB).
2. The role of the PSPRB is to provide independent advice on the remuneration of governing governors and other operational managers, prison officers and unified support grades within its remit in the England and Wales Prison Service. The overall number of staff within this remit group is just over 35,000.
3. From March 2005, the PSPRB has been chaired by Jerry Cope. Jerry Cope is former Managing Director of the Royal Mail, having joined the corporation in 1973. He chairs the Kingston University Board of Governors and formerly chaired the London Regional Educational Council.
4. The full report is available on the Office of Manpower Economics website.
5. For further information please call the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020 7210 8631.